- 2025年12月24日Reservations Required (Same-Day Bookings Welcome)
Utanekodo is open by reservation only, and we are unable to accept walk-ins.
Same-day bookings are welcome when availability allows. Sessions are available from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Our reservation system helps us protect the wellbeing of our rescued cats and maintain a calm, unhurried atmosphere for every guest.
Please visit our Pricing & Reservations page to check availability and book online before visiting.
Utanekodo is a quiet cat retreat in a traditional Kyoto townhouse, where rescued cats live peacefully at their own pace.
Guests are invited to enjoy gentle, mindful time with the cats together with a matcha tea ceremony experience. For those who do not enjoy matcha, a soft drink may be selected instead at the same price.
We offer small-group shared sessions as well as private bookings for couples, families, and friends.
Your visit also helps support the cats’ medical care, daily lives, and ongoing rescue work.
At the heart of every visit is our commitment to the cats’ comfort, wellbeing, and dignity.
The name Utanekodo is inspired by Emperor Uda, who is associated with what is often regarded as Japan’s oldest surviving writing about a pet cat. Our black cat, Uta, was named in his honor as a quiet tribute to this long history of affection for cats.
UTA Store Manager
Estimated date of birth: September 1, 2018. Male.
Black cat.
He was rescued by a volunteer in Kyoto city before coming to Utanekodo. At first, he was quite wary and would hiss at people, but he gradually opened up after his close friend Ginjiro—who he lived with at the volunteer’s home—was also welcomed to Utanekodo.
He was named “Uta” after the beloved black cat of Emperor Uda, who is famous for writing Japan’s oldest diary about a pet cat.
As our “store manager,” he is a smart boy who properly greets our guests. His naturally short tail is his charming feature.
KINTARO
Date of birth: July 18, 2018. Male.
Scottish Fold.
He was left unsold at a pet shop and confined to a small space. When he first arrived at Utanekodo, he was somewhat frightened of people, and it was sad that he couldn’t even jump onto a table despite being a cat.
Now, he loves people, is able to jump, and often relaxes in unusual poses. He dislikes other cats and is a bit temperamental.
He particularly dislikes Manager Uta, so he lives on a different floor from him outside of business hours.
GINJIRO
Estimated date of birth: October 1, 2018. Male.
Tuxedo.
He is a charming and talkative boy. Born as a stray, he somehow ended up at an animal welfare center at a young age and was scheduled to be euthanized. We heard that he desperately reached his paws out of his cage and meowed to appeal to a rescue volunteer visiting the center, begging to be taken home. He later came to Utanekodo from that volunteer.
He is affectionate and gentle with both people and other cats, and he talks to us with a meow that sounds like a sheep.
He is a childhood friend of Manager Uta, and they are very close.
SANSHIRO
Date of birth: November 18, 2018. Male. Persian.
He is just fluffy, definitely not overweight.
He spends most of his time sleeping. He is laid-back but surprisingly loves to eat, and he acts tough around Eitaro.
His summer haircut is a must-see.
EITARO
Date of birth: May 8, 2019. Male.
Ginger tabby.
He is one of four siblings born to a mother cat in a private house in Kyoto city. He is a food lover who eats a lot and is the chubbiest cat here.
He is timid by nature, but once he gets used to guests, he becomes the most affectionate. He loves having his lower back gently patted.
As a younger brother figure who arrived at Utanekodo a little later than the older cats, he is doted on by Manager Uta and Ginjiro. Sanshiro is always getting mad at him for some reason, but Eitaro himself doesn’t seem to mind.
BENZAEMON
Estimated date of birth: January 14, 2018. Male.
Bengal.
He is a former breeding cat rescued from a collapsed breeder, where he was kept in appalling conditions as a mere tool for reproduction. Upon his arrival at Utanekodo in January 2025, a veterinary check-up revealed a serious heart condition. There is no fundamental cure for his illness, and his condition remains critical, meaning it could take a turn for the worse at any moment.
Faced with this reality, we decided to take full responsibility for his life here rather than seeking a foster home. We are committed to providing him with the necessary medical care, praying that he can spend as many peaceful and happy days as possible. Despite the mistreatment he must have suffered, he is an incredibly affectionate, large boy who truly loves people and food. Our deepest wish is for him to live out his remaining time with the dignity and peace he deserves. Since he is still getting used to the other cats, he serves as our greeter in the first-floor cafe space.
UMEKO
Estimated date of birth: December 1, 2016. Female.
Black cat.
In December 2023, the owner found and rescued her while she was living out in the cold in Kyoto city with her kitten, Hanako.
Since she is not used to people, she stays up on the catwalk during business hours. However, she gets along very well with the other cats, so when people are gone, she comes down and spends her time relaxing.
HANAKO
Estimated date of birth: October 1, 2023. Female.
Tuxedo.
In December 2023, the owner rescued her while she was living with her mother, Umeko, in Kyoto city.
She is a gorgeous girl with slightly long hair.
She has a strong personality, but she is used to people and loves to play.
She still doesn’t trust the owner, who catches her to trim her nails and take her to the vet.
KYOICHIRO
Date of birth: August 4, 2016. Male. French Bulldog.
He is our energetic watchdog who loves both people and other dogs. Because of this, his personality is quite unsuited for being a watchdog.
He is rarely seen at the storefront.
To check availability, view pricing, and book your visit, please use GetYourGuide or Viator(Tripadvisor):
- Book via GetYourGuide → GetYourGuide
- Book via Viator(Tripadvisor) → Viator(Tripadvisor)
1. [Private] Private Plan (90 min)
Price: 40,000 JPY (tax included) / per group
Capacity: 1–6 guests
Includes: Tea Ceremony experience (Matcha & seasonal Japanese sweet), cat treats.
Description: A premium plan offering exclusive use of the entire traditional townhouse. Without worrying about other guests, you can fully enjoy a relaxing time with the cats in the company of just your family, partner, or friends.
2. [Shared] Shared Plan (70 min)
Price: 7,800 JPY (tax included) / per person
Capacity: 1–6 guests (Small-group session)
Includes: Tea Ceremony experience (Matcha & seasonal Japanese sweet), cat treats.
Description: A small-group session limited to a maximum of 6 guests. Ideal for solo travelers or those who wish to share a quiet moment.
- Please note that reservations are accepted exclusively online via the link below (we do not accept bookings via email or DM).
- Book here → GetYourGuide
Our Philosophy
Our facility is not a conventional "cat cafe" that disregards feline dignity for human entertainment. This is a sanctuary for rescued cats, and our greatest purpose is to provide them with a safe, peaceful home.
If you have ever felt uneasy or heartbroken by the practices of traditional cat cafes, we assure you that you will find a truly tranquil and reassuring experience here with our cats.
We prioritize the well-being of our cats above all else. We ask that all guests visiting our sanctuary understand and respect our core philosophy before entering.
Cats do not exist for our amusement. They are our equals—precious, living beings who deserve to be treated with the utmost respect. Rather than forcing interaction, we invite you to simply observe their natural behaviors and quietly share the same space and time. We believe that these gentle moments of connection offer profound insight and true healing for us humans.
We warmly welcome guests who share our deep respect and love for these rescued cats. The following rules are in place to protect the dignity of our feline residents and ensure a peaceful, comfortable environment for everyone.
Guidelines for Your Visit
Utanekodo is a "sanctuary" where rescued cats can live in peace and tranquility. To protect the dignity of our feline residents, we ask for your cooperation with the following rules.
1. Admission Rules
- No Perfume: Cats have an incredibly sensitive sense of smell. Please refrain from wearing perfume.
- Socks Required: For hygiene, all guests must wear socks. Available for purchase for 200 yen if needed.
- Visiting with Children: Parents, please ensure your children can remain calm and follow these rules for the cats' well-being.
2. Floor Conduct Rules
- Please Remain Seated: Please stay seated and relax quietly. Avoid standing up or moving around frequently.
- Photography: Photos are welcome, but flash is strictly prohibited.
3. Interaction Rules
- Gentle Touch: Please pet them gently. Avoid forcing contact with tails or paws.
- Regarding Cat Treats: We do not sell treats to prioritize cat health. Instead, we provide controlled portions to guests at no additional cost.
- Avoid Stressful Behavior: Raising your voice or chasing cats is strictly prohibited.
"Cats are not tools for our entertainment; they are precious lives and our equals. We invite you to experience 'true healing' by simply being near them and respecting them as they are."
Neko no Roji Roji-155, 155-4 Tachibanayanagi-cho, Shinkarasuma-dori Nijo-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
We do not have a public phone number. (Please contact us via email: utanekodo@tanosy.co.jp)
5 min walk from Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station (Subway Tozai Line)
4 min walk from Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Bus Stop (Kyoto City Bus)
11 min walk from Sanjo Station (Keihan Main Line)
15 min walk from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station (Hankyu Kyoto Line)
- For guests arriving by bicycle or motorcycle
- We have a space directly in front of the shop where you are welcome to park.
- For guests arriving by car
- There is a paid parking lot (coin parking) directly across the street (Shin-Karasuma St.) from the shop.
If that lot is full, please continue a little further north to find another parking lot.
